Brian Tomlinson's grandaughter said her heart has been ‘torn apart’ after his body was discovered in Barnsley.

A body, believed to be that of the 80-year-old’s, was found in Small Bridge Dyke on the Trans Pennine Trail at around 11.45am on Tuesday.

Thosudands of messages of condolences have been left for Brian including from his heartbroken family.

Brian’s grandaughter, Morgan, took to Facebook to send a final message to her grandad and to thank everyone in Barnsley for their hard work.

Brian Tomlinson

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She posted: “I can’t thank everyone enough for all their hard work trying to find my grandad and how well the community came together!

“As everyone knows this isn’t easy for us at all. We’re absolutely devastated and I can’t stop crying. My heart has been torn apart and for it to be this way makes everything 100 times worse but he’s in a better place now. Rest in peace grandad, I love you.”

Mr Tomlinson was reported missing last Friday and scores of police officers and volunteers were involved in the search for him.

When South Yorkshire Police announced the discovery of the body yesterday, online tributes and message of condolence were left on the force’s website.

Following the devastating discovery, Brian’s son Keith took to Facebook to thank the community from all of the family.

He posted: “Sadly it’s not the outcome we were all praying for but I would like to take this opportunity to thank the police, family, friends, workmates and even complete strangers for everything they have done these past few days.

“It’s been overwhelming how many people have gone out their way to help search for my dad, it’s brought all the community together and showed us how much dad was really loved.

“Thank you from all the family.”

In a statement, South Yorkshire Police said: “While formal identification has not yet taken place, officers do believe it to be that of 80-year-old Brian Tomlinson. Brian’s family have been notified and are being supported by specialist officers at this time.”

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